Earlier today I received a call from my aged father, Hon. Ismaila Mernyi Iortyom, informing me that men of the Nigeria Police Force from the Ushongo Divisional Command in Lessel were at my country home to stop what they described as a public gathering.
He further related to me that the policemen stated that they were under orders from above to enforce the ban on public gatherings proclaimed by Governor Hyacinth Alia in the state, following reports brought before them that there was going to be a political meeting at my residence.
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This is a violation of the fundamental rights of my parents, siblings, relatives and visitors to the residence which is a family home guaranteed the freedom to privacy under law which anyone may visit without fear of restriction or harassment.
For those feeding falsehood to security agents and perpetrating forgery, impersonation and all manner of mischievous machinations against my name and person in bid to score cheap political points, I state to them loudly that they came way too late.
They have failed woefully in their plots to unsettle me in whatever regard they may be contriving, as their feeble antics and those of their sponsors only expose their chronic lack of base, competence and capacity.
To agents of the state detailed to enforce the so-called ban on public gatherings, they should draw the distinction between gatherings in public places which may be the subject of their duty and activities at the private residences of citizens which do not by any law fall under the categorisation of the so-called ban.
Benue State is not under martial law and the rights of citizens to their fundamental liberties are guaranteed under law which may at any point be activated through the interpretative and enforcement powers of the law courts.
Chief Bemgba Iortyom (Vande-U-Mbaiwer)
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Benue State.
